Best dehumidifier: Keep moisture at bay and dry clothes quickly with these tried and tested models - with running costs from 5 pence

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The UK isn’t exactly a tropical environment but large parts of the country have to deal with humidity, both in the summer and winter months. Older homes can also suffer with damp issues and old, poorly fitted windows, which can be treated and kept under control with a dehumidifier, among other things.

Ebac Founder, John Elliott MBE DL says: "The average UK household generates up to two litres of excess moisture daily, simply through everyday activities such as running a bath or shower, drying laundry indoors, even breathing. Remove too little of this excess moisture and mould can thrive. Remove too much and you are simply wasting energy".

You can, of course, deal with some moisture issues simply by opening a window but that’s not always a viable option, especially in the winter months. Enlisting the help of a dehumidifier can help keep your home drier, warmer and generally more comfortable.

Dehumidifiers are also good for drying laundry indoors. The UK’s wet, cold weather means that we have to surrender our washing to the indoor clothes airer for a large chunk of the year, which actually releases litres of extra moisture into the air.

Below, I’ve tried and tested a range of dehumidifiers suitable for UK homes. Whether you just need something for a room or want to bring humidity levels down across your home.

Best dehumidifiers: Quick list 

• Most efficient all-rounder: Ebac 4000 series
• Best on a budget: VonHaus 12L
• Best for flats or single rooms: Meaco Arete One 6L
• Most stylish: Meaco Arete Two 12L
• Best for ultra-fast drying: DeLonghi dehumidifier 16L

How we test

We test all the home products we review for at least a week often longer. This ensures we can get the best all-round picture of a product from the build quality to the performance. With dehumidifiers, we set them all up and use them for several days, assessing how long they take to reduce the humidity by 5 per cent and then to a set humidity level.

I also use a power meter to check how much energy each humidifier is using while on and calculate the approximate cost per hour (based on current energy prices). I'll then look at things like ease of use, build quality and value for money compared to other models. If there are any notable features - such as a laundry mode - I'll also make note of these.

Best dehumidifiers for excess moisture and drying laundry 

1. Most efficient all-rounder: Ebac 4000 series

2. Best on a budget: VonHaus 12L

 

3. Best for flats or single rooms: Meaco Arete One 6L

4. Most stylish: Meaco Arete Two 12L

 

5. Best for ultra-fast drying: DeLonghi dehumidifier 16L

Verdict

For substance over style, my pick is Ebac. Not only does it automatically detect the humidity levels in your home, only turning on when it's needed but all its dehumidifiers are produced in the UK. This means a smaller carbon footprint and you're supporting a British business.

If a more compact, stylish model is top of your wishlist then go for the Aerete One. It's compact but can still tackle up to 12L of liquid a day and it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. It's also quiet and easy to use.

Why trust us 

Danielle has been testing home and garden products for seven years. She's an experienced reviewer and has a wealth of knowledge about a variety of home products. She understands what makes a product special and what's important to you, our readers. All of her reviews are unbiased and offer a full picture of every product. 

FAQs

What size dehumidifier do I need?

Small homes, flats and room-only dehumidifiers can stay quite small, especially if you don’t have serious damp or condensation issues. We’d recommend one of the 12L models we’ve tested here, as it will strike a good balance between size and capacity.

For larger homes or ones that struggle with a lot of condensation, consider opting for a larger 20L dehumidifier. This will likely take up more space but will need less frequent emptying.

Read more about how to choose a model in our dehumidifier guide. 

What is laundry mode on a dehumidifier?

Many modern dehumidifiers have a dedicated laundry mode that essentially turbo-charges the dehumidifier to help remove lots of moisture quickly. To make the most of this, you should place the dehumidifier close to your clothes horse and set it to laundry mode for a few hours.

Damp laundry can create quite a bit of extra moisture in your home. Rachel Fraser, Product Specialist at home retailer Pillow Talk, explains that small missteps in winter laundry routines can quickly lead to musty bedding, rough towels and even damage to fabrics.

“During colder months, people often wash and dry more frequently but with less ventilation,” Fraser says. “Overusing detergent or fabric softener when drying indoors can leave a residue that traps moisture, reduces absorbency, and makes fabrics feel coarse. And when drying isn’t managed properly, it can also lead to lingering damp smells or even mould.”

How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?

Much like heated clothes airers, most dehumidifiers cost just a few pence per hour to run. Most of the options we’ve reviewed here won’t set you back more than 8 pence an hour on the standard setting, though some laundry modes will use more energy and therefore, cost more.